Speeches

Training

The
entire nation should stand up against the incumbent electoral system and support
public sit-ins being organized under the banner of Pakistan Awami Tehreek on May
11. It is about time that the people rejected the system, which is at heart of the
problems the nation has been faced with for quite some time now. It is about time
that those who have pushed the country into abyss of darkness and degradation were
held accountable for their acts of commission and omission. Time to act and make
a choice is now. Otherwise it may be too late to rue the day.

PAT President said that the ruling elite on either side of divide wasted billions
of rupees in the name of development funds but could not do any significant work
to mitigate the sufferings of the people caused due to worst energy deficits. He
said that our ruling class that had been alternating each other in power was indifferent
to plight of the masses and only interested in getting into power through fair and
foul means. ‘They are ready to partner with Satan if that serves their interests
and enables them to come into government,’ he commented.

Dr Raheeq Abbasi said that it was not possible for any credible, truly representative
and honest leadership to emerge on the national scene under the current electoral
system as it was geared towards protecting the interests of the powerful elite to
the detriment of the people. He asked the people to join hands on the single point
agenda of electoral reforms and communicate their rejection of the system by joining
PAT’s sit-ins. He said that if the people understood the criticality of situation
and stood up, it would lay the foundation-stone for real change and prosperity of
the country.

PAT President warned that if the people did not act this time, those adept at
deceiving them would come into power and plunge the country into more problems.
He said that the nation would have to realize their responsibilities and support
the struggle of Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri to steer the country out of multiple
crises it was stuck up in. He said that PAT was waging serious struggle for durable
change in the country and the people should stand by it. He said that voting under
the present system was meant to perpetuate the reign of corruption, loot and plunder.

Dr Raheeq Abbasi said that historic rally which PAT held in Lahore on Sunday
proved that the party was working on the agenda of restoration of people’s rights,
adding that if the nation rejected the incumbent system, it would become the basis
of national progress and prosperity.